Welcome, Jim Bennett

Jim Bennett will be joining WMNF as Station Manager in January of 2009. Jim brings with him both a wealth of knowledge in his over 20 years in Public Radio and a real enthusiasm and joy for Community radio.

Open Letter from Jim Bennett

Hi!

I'm very excited and honored to be selected as your new General Manager, at WMNF. You have a great legacy of programming and leadership, which I hope to continue.

I have been working in public and community radio since the summer of 1971. I began as a volunteer music programmer, at the age of 19 and have been fortunate to continue in that capacity ever since. While still in my teens, I became a "peer" trainer for the Miami University (Ohio) radio station, which eventually evolved into Music Director, Production Director and Operations Manager positions.  A majority of my radio experience, since 1980, has been with KPFA in Berkeley, California. KPFA was the first community radio station in the U.S., going on the air and asking listeners for funds. The concept initially was tough - getting people to pay for something they could get for free - but, it was the programming and the voices that were heard there that made the listeners stand up and be counted. I was Production Director, Operations Manager, Chief Engineer, General Manager and fundraiser over my 28 years at KPFA.

When I visited WMNF for the first time a couple of months ago, I strongly felt the way in which the station is living its mission, with creativity and inspiration. Simply put, WMNF is one of the best community stations anywhere. I've always felt the core of any great station is in its volunteers and listeners. That is the foundation which needs to be respected and nurtured.

I already feel greatly at home, because this kind of radio has been my focus my entire life. An organization that I've been involved with, Youth Radio in Oakland, California wants to continue their association with me by collaborating with WMNF. I can't wait to involve the station in emerging technologies and to build more community participation trough programs like this one. 

Let me close by saying this is an important time for radio stations like WMNF, of which there are very few. It is absolutely critical for all of us to do what we can to insure its future and its growth. So, let me join you in that!! I'll be at the station for a visit in early December and hope to be working full time in early January. Most people I know get maybe one opportunity to work at great station. I feel blessed that I'll be able to be part of another.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Si Se Puede!!

Jim Bennett